Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Chamber informed Brown not running for Judge again

Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown made it official at the annual meeting of the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce. He will not be seeking reelection as county judge.

Brown didnt go into detail as to why he wasnt seeking reelection, but told the crowd there would be a new county judge in 2007. He needs to be conservative, Brown said.

He brought up the fact the rural water system now belongs to the City of Prescott. The project began as a county grant, but once the work was done and signed off on, the water system came under the operation of the city. Brown urged the residents along the water line to be patient as nature will take its course and clean up what the construction crews dont.

He thanked the residents of Prescott for passing the bond issue to repair the citys streets, but said now the people in the county want better roads. Ive told them all we have to do is raise taxes, he said.

The rural paved roads in the county, he said, did get resurfaced last year. This will be an ongoing project as these roads get torn up due to heavy truck traffic. I hope to add five more miles next year, but I dont know right now.

Part of the problem, he said, has been the rising cost of fuel and oil. Last year the county spent $44,000 on fuel, but has spent $109,000 thus far in 2005. In addition, oil prices have gone up 20 percent.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor also addressed the Chambers Board of Directors, saying things are moving forward in town.

The rural water project, he said, is 99.9 percent done, with some finishing work yet to be done. There are about 400 customers on the new system, though when it was first proposed seven-and-a-half years ago, there was the potential for 700 customers.

The average water bill, Taylor said, is $35-$40 a month. This price is based on a minimum bill of $28 per month plus $1.50 for every 1,000 gallons used. Communities with new rural water systems usually experience growth.

The street project, he said, is almost done, with two areas needing to be completed. One of those areas is Ron Harrod Blvd., which has a lot of truck traffic. The other is at TA, which also has a lot of truck traffic.

A dirt specialist has examined the soil at TA to see what can be done to make the street last longer. Results of the analysis should be completed soon.

We hope to have enough money left over from the street project to buy a new street sweeper, Taylor said. The idea is to sweep the citys streets at least twice a week to keep the dust down and streets clean.

Southern Molds is doing contract work, Taylor said. The city is doing dirt work and putting up a fence. When this is done the plant will put its product out for retail sales. At this time there are about 25 people employed at the plant, and applications are being taken for part-time workers.

Things are going on daily at Prescott Rubber, Inc., Taylor said. Right now the plant is doing work for Firestone, but will begin doing its own work soon. Two giant presses are being shipped from Malaysia. These presses will be used to make pads and tiles.

PRI, he said, currently has orders for 40,000 pads per month, but can only make about 10,000 a month.

The overpass is a sure thing, he said. Public hearings will begin in 2006 to determine where it will be put, and environmental studies will also be done. Work will start sometime in 2007.

Taylor said the citys contract with Entergy runs out on Dec. 31, and Arkansas Energy Cooperative will be Prescotts new supplier of electricity. There will be an 18 percent increase in electric rates.

Mary Godwin, executive director of the Chamber, gave the financial report, going over what the Chamber took in during the past year and how much was spent.

The Board voted to approve changes to the articles of incorporation and the Chambers bylaws.

There were 24 community coffees held this past year and six ribbon cuttings. The Chamber was also involved in 91 other events, activities and projects.

The new board of directors was introduced. They are, Donnie Dillard, Joyce Gibson, Julia Ingram, Morris Irvin and Lynn Vandiver. The Class of 2006 is Vera Austin, Kay Hendrix, Janet Hood, Barbara Lowdermilk and Julie Oliver. The Class of 2007 is David Cassels, Janice Hill, Marcia Lasiter, Tim Loe and Carrie Nivens. Four members of the Board saw their terms expire. They were Karen Jobe, Larry Jones, Phillip McAdams and Elaine Williams.